WILTON -- Former state corrections officer Frank Soriano has been sentenced to five years in state prison following a September 2011 road- rage incident in which he stabbed his victim, Jeffrey Streicher, three times.

Soriano, 66, of Damascus Drive in Wilton was convicted in September ofsecond-degree assault, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, for having a knife with intent to cause harm.

Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry Scarano also sentenced Soriano to three years of post-release supervision. He must serve more than four years before becoming eligible for release.

"Rage goes off like a flame of fire," said Streicher, the brother of Wilton Councilman Steve Streicher.

Advertisement

"That's what happened that day. I really feel bad for his (Soriano's) family -- him, too. Nobody should have gone through this. I don't think it will take five years for him to learn that lesson."

Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III said he was pleased with the Nov. 29 sentence. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ann Sullivan.

"The maximum he could have gotten is seven years," Murphy said. "We are very pleased with five. That is absolutely appropriate. The message that was sent is that regardless of your position, your former job or who you are, there is one set of rules for everybody."

Soriano spent most of his career at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County, but retired from Mount McGregor in Wilton.

On Sept. 10, 2011, he became enraged at Streicher, who had just dropped off his wife, Linda, at a CVS store and was driving along Carr and Northern Pines roads, near McGregor Links Golf Course in Wilton. Streicher, 42, of Gloversville, was en route to Steve Streicher's house for their brother Brian's birthday party.

Soriano bumped Streicher's car from behind and then ran up to him and began hitting Streicher near his car. Streicher, an amateur boxer, defended himself and punched Soriano in the face. "Boxing saved my life," he said.

However, Soriano taunted Streicher as Streicher continued to hit him and said, "Hit me harder. Is that all you've got?"

After a few punches, Streicher stopped and started to return to his car. But Soriano attacked him again, this time from behind. He grabbed Streicher in a bear hug, threw him against the driver's side mirror of Soriano's vehicle and stabbed him in the back and left front side.

Streicher also suffered a slash wound to his left forearm. Fearing for his life, Streicher returned to his car and drove to find his wife at the CVS store. "My life was just melting away," he said. "It seemed to take forever."

Streicher suffered significant blood loss at the scene, in his car, and credited his wife and "good Samaritans" who helped stopped the bleeding before an ambulance arrived, for saving his life. He was transported by Life Net helicopter to Albany Medical Center, where he was treated and released the next day.

During his trial, Soriano claimed self-defense, which the jury rejected.